Pastoral leadership in schools helps Catholic identity shine

At St. William of York School in Stafford, Fr. Robert J. DeMartino (right), pastor, and Fr. Lino Rico Rostro, parochial vicar, chat with students Aug. 14. JENNIFER SCHILLER | COURTESY

Father Robert J. DeMartino heard the call to be a priest in
Sister Marion Rita’s first grade class. He still remembers the sight of the
priest’s shoes as he walked past Father DeMartino’s small desk and explained to
the students how God calls certain men to be priests. “I think he’s calling
me,” thought Father DeMartino.

For years, the memory of Sister Marion Rita stuck with Father
DeMartino, now pastor of St. William of York Church in Stafford. In 1994, the
former student and teacher reconnected. They exchanged birthday and Christmas
gifts and kept in touch until her death in 2013.

“(Going to Catholic school) was a life-changing experience,” said
Father DeMartino.

He tries to bring that same life-altering experience to the
students at St. William of York School. As with other schools, St. Williams of
York has a principal, teachers and faculty. But as a Catholic school, the
pastor of the parish plays a role in the governance.

“My school is my most important apostolate. It’s also a business.
And I have to wear both hats and keep them on simultaneously,” he said. “You
have to be very cognizant that it can't function if it’s not a successful
business venture.”

Pastors rely on principals for the day-to-day operations of the
school. “The number one working relationship is between the pastor and the
principal,” said David Conroy Jr., principal of All Saints School in Manassas.
“The pastor's involvement is really everything, and it starts with the pastor's
commitment to and belief in Catholic education … and a shared vision and
approach.”

As Father DeMartino learned at a young age, priests can make a great
impact on their schools by visiting the students and discussing the faith with
them. Many pastors visit classrooms weekly, particularly focusing on second-
and eighth-graders who will receive first Communion and penance or
confirmation.

That frequent contact makes priests more approachable to the
students, said David Lima, principal of St. William of York. “They don’t just
see (Father DeMartino) up on the altar — they see him on their level,” he said.

Lima feels Father DeMartino supports the staff and faculty as
well. “He’s very in tune with all of us and has an open door policy for any
faculty member,” he said. On a personal note, said Lima, “My wife had a
miscarriage last year and I ran to the office and he dropped everything. He
took me in, gave me a hug and told me to do what I needed to.”

Last year at All Saints, a faculty member’s father suddenly died,
said Conroy. His funeral was in Philadelphia. Father Lee R. Roos, pastor, told
Conroy he was going to the funeral and invited him to come along. “I was so
impressed by his generosity,” he said.

Conroy has seen Father Roos’ kindness in times of great crisis
for students’ families. “When a family has a difficulty and they’re not sure
how they're going to make a tuition payment, his response is always the same —
that we stand by them,” said Conroy.

Pastors advocate for their schools by encouraging parishioners to
enroll their children or to volunteer their time. Father DeMartino often
mentions the school at Mass, said Lima, who is also a parishioner. “He says
we’re the gem of the parish.”

In big moments and small, pastors make an effort to show love to
their school communities. Often it can be as simple as saying goodbye at the
end of the day.

“I like to be out there at dismissal time,” said Father
DeMartino. “Asking what they learned or if they did any arts and crafts or meeting
the parents. It's 20 minutes but sometimes it is my happiest time of the week. It
builds the family and community environment I've always wanted to have here.”